Toronto Fringe Review: They Go Low, We Go Laugh

If there were an award for most accurate title, They Go Low, We Go Laugh would surely win it. To racialized, multiply minoritized women (and their male friend) of the African diaspora, sometimes all you can do is laugh at the absurdity of xenophobia and oppression. 

The show is a mix of standup comedy and sketches. GuPaul’s African Race sketches take the format of RuPaul’s Drag Race mini challenges to showcase the diversity of the African diaspora, poking fun at various stereotypes, the complex relationships between the different women within oppressive systems, and the exploitative yet fabulous Drag Race.

Though the mix of standup and sketches gave everyone equal time and voice, which is very different from many comedy shows, it would have been nice to focus on one or the other. The standup bits weren’t long enough, I wanted to hear more of the women’s stories. And GuPaul’s African Race could have given so much more satirical realness. 

At the end of the day, there are bigger problems to have than prioritizing strong concepts and a very egalitarian show! I just wanted more of all of it because these women, Sara Meleika, Portia Karegeya, Mbissine Deme, (and their male friend, Guled Abdi) all have much to share and even more laughs to get! 

They Go Low, We Go Laugh is on now until July 15 as part of Toronto Fringe. Shows and tickets here.